Why is a piece of equipment equipped with a thermal-magnetic circuit breaker?

A thermal-magnetic circuit breaker is designed to provide two types of protection: thermal and magnetic. The thermal component responds to prolonged overload conditions by heating up, which opens the circuit when the current exceeds a predetermined level. At the same time, the magnetic component responds quickly to short circuits by tripping almost instantaneously. This dual-functionality is particularly beneficial because it allows the circuit breaker to manage larger overloads effectively before tripping, accommodating normal variations in electrical load while protecting the equipment from sustained damage.

The ability to handle larger overloads makes it particularly suitable for applications where equipment might encounter temporary surges in current but cannot afford to stop running once these surges are resolved. This capability ensures operational efficiency and reliability while preventing unnecessary interruptions caused by minor overloads.